Lil Nas X And Sony Face $25 Million Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

Lil Nas X and Sony Music have been served with a $25 million copyright-infringement lawsuit over the performer’s track “Carry On.”

The lawsuit was filed based on a previous song written by Bobby Caldwell.

Jean-Baptiste Lacroix / AFP / Getty Images

Jean-Baptiste Lacroix / AFP / Getty Images

California-publisher, The Music Force, is seeking $10 million in damages and $15 million in punitive damages.

Lil Nas X has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to his fusion of rap and country music. His track “Old Town Road” has become a radio and streaming hit. That track also came under scrutiny for using music from Nine Inch Nails “34 Ghosts IV.” The Nine Inch Nails track was the work of a Dutch teenager who initially sought compensation from Lil Nas X and Sony for the unauthorized use of his work. It’s unclear at this time if that claim has been settled.

“Old Town Road” helped Lil Nas X get discovered after he posted the track on his YouTube channel.

Lil Nas X’s eight-track EP dropped on June 21 and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200.

With two copyright controversies surrounding just eight tracks, it looks like Lil Nas X might have a lot to learn about the music industry and what is considered acceptable use of other artists music.